Zebra Lionfish

Body reddish with 5 dark bars, alternating with thin dark bars in large specimens; median fins with small dark spots; dark spot on cheek (Ref. 4313). Mid-dorsal spines longer than body depth (Ref. 37816).Description: Characterized by presence of dark band passing through eye; alternating light and dark bands on dorsal spines; deeply incised membranes of spinous portion of dorsal fin; longest dorsal spine equal to or greater than body depth; enlarged and wing-like pectoral fins with rays fully connected by membranes except deeply incised between lower 7-8 unbranched rays; above each eye with slender tentacle; depth of body about 2.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Spawn in pairs. Courtship and spawning occur at night. Males aggressive, females are smaller and develop almost white face when in courtship. Spawning occurs at the apex of a short and rapid paired ascent resulting in a gelatinous mass of 2,000 to 15,000 eggs. Hatching occurs 36 hours later and larvae settle out in a few weeks at a size of 10-12 mm.

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 6 - 7

Found in inshore waters (Ref. 75154); on coral, rubble, or rock bottoms of reef flats (Ref. 9710); also in coastal to outer reef habitats in sheltered lagoons and in caves, sometimes in small aggregations. Usually shallow, from 3-60m (Ref. 30874) but also reported to 80 m depth.

Found on coral, rubble, or rock bottoms of reef flats (Ref. 9710); also in coastal to outer reef habitats in sheltered lagoons and in caves, sometimes in small aggregations. Usually shallow, from 3-60m (Ref. 30874) but also reported to 80 m depth. Pelagic stages travel great distances and expatriate to sub-tropical zones (Ref. 48635). Spawned in captivity (Ref. 37816). Spines with poison glands (Ref. 125576).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family